Good News! New Habits are Possible

Despite the daily Covid 19 updates, there is some good news. You can start new habits even with the Coronavirus knocking on your door! You and your family can stay healthy by continuing to shelter in place and by wearing a mask when you do go out, and of course keeping your physical distance at least 6 ft away from others. Wearing a mask is a great habit to get into if you are going to be out in public places where you come in close contact with others.

The question is what habits do you want to start? Think about how you can stay mentally and physically fit by trying to start new habits for your new not so normal.

These tips might help you get you on your way:

Understand– your WHY

What value will you receive by changing a habit or starting a new one?

Write down the perceived value and read it out loud – own it. Use self-talk to remind yourself of the importance and the exciting results the habit will bring.

Develop a mission statement. After all, you are on a mission to create a new habit, right? If things are going to change, you first must have a burning desire to transform and shift the way you do things.

Define the Parameters

What is the name of this new habit? What describes the action of the habit?

What is the first action step required? Give this a strong verb to get it going.

When do you start this habit? Get your calendar out and make an appointment.

How often do you practice this habit? Put this on your calendar in red ink.

What is the accountability for doing this – is it a reminder on your phone or your computer. Is there an accountability partner involved – a friend, a spouse, a child, or perhaps a Productivity Coach? Find someone or something to keep you honest.

Limit your options – do not try to do too many changes at one time.

Own it

Put in on a calendar. Did I say to write it on your calendar?????

Write it on a sticky note and place that on your bathroom mirror so you see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Think Small and Realistic

Set up for success by starting small. We crawl before we walk. We walk before we run.

Start out with something you can achieve. I will do this every day for 5 minutes. I will do this Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 5 minutes. Starting small, allows you to see successes bit by bit. It is like going to the treadmill and saying I am only going to go for 25 minutes and then you see you made it to 25 minutes and you realize you can do 30, 40 or 45 minutes. When you start small, you open opportunities to continue the new habit until the action becomes so constant you don’t think about what you are doing – it just comes naturally. A habit becomes a constant because it becomes an extension of your daily life without having to THINK. When you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, you just do it, you don’t say oh I have to practice this.

Pat Yourself on the Back

Celebrate your successes with a purchase of a massage, a new outfit, a donation to a charity in need, or just plain old self-satisfaction. How will you reward yourself?

Enjoy the moment- recognize your efforts.

Shed the Weight

If you are having hard time shedding the Covid 19, you can contact a weight loss coach, such as my esteemed colleague Susan Palace,https://susanpalace.com/. A coach can be a remarkable partner in shifting your mindset for weight loss.

Don’t give up, whatever your goal is.

Know you can start over again if you slide.

Give yourself permission to accept setbacks. Some of the greatest discoveries have come to fruition through trial and error.